Phil Luciano: All signs point to Blago being an evil genius

Friday

Feb 27, 2009 at 12:01 AMFeb 27, 2009 at 1:26 AM

Rod Blagojevich: Evil genius? I'm beginning to think so. The more Roland Burris twists in the wind and the longer the stomachs of Illinois' citizens churn from embarrassment and indigestion over this endless mess, the more I picture Blago, still with stupid coif and smarmy smile, rubbing his hands together like a mad scientist who believes he has found the secret of life.

Phil Luciano

Rod Blagojevich: Evil genius?

I'm beginning to think so. The more Roland Burris twists in the wind and the longer the stomachs of Illinois' citizens churn from embarrassment and indigestion over this endless mess, the more I picture Blago, still with stupid coif and smarmy smile, rubbing his hands together like a mad scientist who believes he has found the secret of life.

For Blago, that secret involves sticking around in the public eye as long as possible. Other humans would have slinked away long ago in shame. But Blago isn't exactly human. He is homo sapiens self-importantus - a creature marked by an oversized ego that must be fed at all costs.

And that's where I get to my evil-genius theory.

Critics hit him with all sorts of labels: madman, insane, even sociopath. And that was long before the federal indictments came down in December. Maybe some of those adjectives are on target. But I think it's just that jumbo ego.

Why else could he think he could get away with shenanigans like selling the Senate seat? Recall, this is the guy who ages ago unabashedly floated the idea of his becoming a vice-presidential candidate. Then Barack Obama - not just a no-name, but a funny name - comes out of nowhere and takes the leading role in what was supposed to be Blago's Cinderella story. So, Blago goes off the deep end with his various grabs at power.

There, he failed - if you think conventional political success is his lone goal. I believe he gave that up as the only career track. Rather, he has a Plan B: If life gives you lemons, jam them in others' eyes so they'll scream but never forget you.

Think about this. He gets caught by the feds. Sure, he can do the talk-show circuit for a while, maybe even write a book. But the media attention he craves would die down.

Maybe Blago saw that. So that's why he picked Burris.

It was a master stroke, because the Senate dare not reject what would be the only black man in the chamber. But more importantly, Blago knows Burris has a massive ego of his own. Burris doesn't have much surface baggage, because he knew how to make a quiet career as a pol. Still, he needs attention. Exhibit A: That self-made monument that lists every accomplishment of his life, as if he's Lincoln, Gandhi and Jesus rolled into one.

So Blago tabs Burris. Maybe he gives him a little advice, lawyer to lawyer: Don't answer unless they ask you.

But Blago knows. He knows that Burris was asked to raise money for Blago. He knows that he appointed Burris' kid to a comfy state job months ago.

Blago knows a powder keg lurks inside Burris. In that way, Burris is a Trojan horse. Burris keeps his yap shut during state House committee hearings, and he slips by untouched.

It worked. And then BOOM! The truth comes out. Burris looks like a liar. And Illinois looks like the most crooked state in the nation.

And there's Blago, watching as his name still rides high in the media. He's still alive. Granted, he is a black sheep - but a black sheep with a name that grows bigger with every snafu and controversy.

That black sheep's heart beats, steady and evil. The ego grows. We're just supporting characters in this infinite, frustrating episode of "The Twilight Zone." And Blago keeps laughing.

Phil Luciano is a columnist with the Journal Star. He can be reached at pluciano@pjstar.com, 686-3155 or (800) 225-5757, Ext. 3155.